Yob hunted over attack on tiny pony in Sheffield

Jane Gregory, of Loxley, with pony Heidi

An attack on a defenceless tiny pony in Sheffield has outraged the owner of the field where she is kept.

Shetland Pony Heidi was grazing on Loxley Road, Loxley, when she was targeted just one day after moving there.

A callous yob,‘egged on’ by a gang of bystanders, was seen jumping on the tiny pony’s back twice before being bucked off.

He then repeatedly punched the pony before fleeing, leaving Heidi in ‘distress’.

Jane Gregory, who allows the owner of Heidi to keep her on her land, said she is disappointed and upset at the attack.

“Heidi’s owner advertised for somebody with some land where she could keep her for free and as I have 3.5 acres I said she could come here to graze, so I am really disappointed that this has happened,” she said.

“To have heard what happened to Heidi is heartbreaking - it disgusts me.

“It is the punching I find very hard to grasp and I hope the police catch who did this.

“There was a group outside the field and then one of them jumped over and jumped on Heidi’s back twice. When he was bucked off he started punching her while the others looked on.”

A South Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: “Police were contacted regarding an incident involving a pony that took place on Loxley Road.

“It has been reported to police that a group of men kicked and punched the horse, causing it distress.

“Officers have spoken to the owner of the horse and are making further enquiries into the incident.”

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